For gear heads finding that perfect street racing car is one of the ultimate pursuits, however how do you find the perfect model for you without spending every cent you have and more?

Customise

So just how do you find the perfect street racing car without spending a fortune? You don’t. You find a used car with a good price tag attached that has a lot of potential. That potential can then be customised into your dream racing car.

1984 – 1987 Corolla’s are one of the best models for turning into a fully customised street racing vehicle. Corolla’s are the original drift car used in Japan and they are still a huge player in the market. At under $5,000 it’s easy to see why this is a favourite among many street car enthusiasts.

The biggest issues are age according to Bob W at Drift-Office “You are looking at a 25 year old motor; that’s a quarter century. Most of them are already on their way out. Also be on the lookout for orifice leaks. In order of most common leaks; distributor, front main seal, cam seals, rear main seal and finally valve covers.” Certain fixes can cost upwards of $1,000 before you even begin to customise but the street cred you’ll get is definitely worth it.

On the newer end of the scale are Subaru WRX/STI from 1992 to now. As they’re newer and also on the more expensive side of things, they are only a few minor steps and customisations away from being full-blown rally cars which makes them the perfect choice for anyone who doesn’t want to spend a fortune but still doesn’t want to perform too much work to get them up and running either. These babies are dripping with potential and are just crying out to be customised or rather “completed”.

When Chrysler and Mitsubishi teamed up for this one we thought it would become a bit of a joke but actually, though it didn’t sound like a great idea, the Eagle Talon has surprisingly become one of our favourite rally cars. It’s completely underrated which actually gives you a bit of an edge on the track and though a weird collaboration which just love this little beauty from 1990 to 1994.

Nissan 300ZX

The Nissan 300ZX made the list because though it’s not one of my favourites the Fairlady Z is a truly beloved vehicle for many gear heads due to its predictable and fun dynamics. If you’re looking for a hobby car then this is the ideal choice as nothing beats building upon the Nissan 300ZX’s dynamics. Price varies a lot depending on your choice of year. Given that Nissan has built the 300ZX from 1983 to 2000 gives you an indication of how beloved this model is.

And there you have it, my top 4 recommendations for gear heads looking for a customisable ride on the cheap side. Happy customising!